Radical groups have their own particular pitfalls. The first is in dealing with hierarchy, both conceptually and practically. The rejection of authority is another hallmark of adolescence, and this knee-jerk reactivity filters into many political groups. All hierarchy is a tool of The Man, the patriarchy, the Nazis. This approach leads to an insistence on consensus at any cost and often a constant metadiscussion of group power dynamics. It also unleashes critiques of anyone who achieves public acclaim or leadership status. These critiques are usually nothing more than jealousy camouflaged by political righteousness. Bourgeois is a perennial favorite, as well as whatever flavor of sell-out matches the groups criteria. Its often accompanied by a hyperanalysis of the victims language use or personal lifestyle choices. There is a reason that the phrase politically correct was invented on the left. Theres a name for this trashing. As noted, Florynce Kennedy called it horizontal hostility. And if it feels like junior high school by another name, thats because it is. It can reach a feeding frenzy of ugly gossip and character assassination. In more militant groups, it may take the form of paranoid accusations. In the worst instances of the groups that encourage macho posturing, it ends with men shooting each other. Ultimately, its caused by fighting horizontally rather than vertically. If the only thing we can change is ourselves or if the best tactics for social change are lifestyle choices, then, indeed, examining and critiquing the minutiae of peoples personal lives will be cast as righteous activity. And if youre not going to fight the people in power, the only people left to fight are each other. - from the DGR book DeepGreenResistance.org
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 03:04:37 +0000
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